Knicks get Randolph from Blazers

New York, NY (Sports Network) – The New York Knicks made a move to bolster
their frontcourt on draft night, acquiring forward Zach Randolph from the
Portland Trail Blazers.

The Knicks also got guards Fred Jones and Dan Dickau in the deal and sent
guard Steve Francis and forward Channing Frye to Portland. In addition, the
Knicks obtained the draft rights to Demetris Nichols from Portland for a 2008
second round draft pick.

Randolph was a force in the middle, compiling 36 double-doubles last season,
averaging a team-best 23.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.

Randolph, who turns 26 next month, has run into legal trouble in the past.
He was suspended two games in 2003 for punching teammate Ruben Patterson, and
was later arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Dickau hasn’t made a big impact in the league since he came into the NBA in
2002, and averaged just over three points last season. Jones split last season
with Toronto and Portland and averaged 6.5 points.

The 30-year-old Francis, who has also played for Houston and Orlando, missed
37 games last season due to right knee tendinitis, a sprained left ankle and a
sprained right ankle. He averaged 11.3 points over 44 games last season.

Frye averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in his second NBA season, but had
been competing for playing time with David Lee in New York.

Nichols, chosen 53rd overall on Thursday, averaged a Big East-leading 18.9
points and 5.4 rebounds for Syracuse as a senior.